Audi to start production at new plant in China in 2013

1 December 2011

Audi will strengthen its presence significantly in China and start production at a new plant in southern China from 2013. FAW-VW is currently setting up a full production facility in Foshan (Guangdong province) with press shop, body shop, paint shop and assembly, on a site covering 100 hectares. A new member of the Audi A3 family is planned to be produced at the Foshan site.

The FAW-VW joint venture, in which Audi has an interest together with its Chinese partner FAW and Volkswagen, is to invest around €3 billion (US$.05 billion) in China in products, production and sales of the Audi brand in the next five years.

Audi has already been represented—along with its partner FAW—in the north Chinese city of Changchun for more than 20 years where it builds long-wheelbase versions of the Audi A4 and Audi A6 as well as the Audi Q5. Production capacity in Changchun will increase to between 500,000 and 550,000 cars in the next few years, with a production volume of around 150,000 to 200,000 cars planned for Foshan.

Both plants together will have a potential of up to 700,000 cars a year.
Audi is the market leader in the premium segment in China and delivered 253,739 cars to customers (incl. Hong Kong) from January through October, 32% more than in the prior-year period. The sales total is expected to exceed 300,000 cars for the first time by the end of the year.